Which French exam: DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF
Four names, two different kinds of thing. DELF and DALF are diplomas: you sit one at a chosen level, you pass or you do not, and the certificate never expires. TCF and TEF are tests: you sit one exam, it places you on a scale, and the result has a validity period. Which you need depends on who is asking.
The practical comparison
| DELF / DALF | TCF | TEF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A diploma at one level | A placement test | A placement test |
| Result | Pass or fail at that level | A score and a level | A score and a level |
| Validity | For life | Limited period | Limited period |
| You choose the level | Yes — you book A2, B1, B2… | No — it places you | No — it places you |
| Usual use | University admission, nationality | Campus France, visas, nationality | Canadian immigration, some admissions |
The choice-of-level difference matters more than it sounds. Sitting DELF B2 and scoring just under the pass means no diploma at all; sitting a TCF and performing at B1 still returns a usable B1 result.
How to decide
- Ask the institution first. Many French universities accept either; some name one.
- If you are confident of your level, the diploma is the better asset — it never expires.
- If you are unsure of your level, a test is safer, because it cannot be failed outright.
- If the deadline is close, check session dates: TCF runs more often in many countries than DELF sessions do.
For an Indian applicant to a French-taught programme, the common pattern is DELF B2 where there is time to prepare for a specific level, and TCF where the Campus France deadline is the binding constraint.
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French Which exam — FAQs
3 questions
Neither is better. A diploma is permanent and sat at a chosen level; a test returns a score that expires but cannot be failed outright. Check what your institution accepts.
No. DELF and DALF are valid for life.
Campus France commonly accepts TCF, and many universities accept DELF. Confirm against your specific programme.
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.